Projects Range From Runways And Taxiways To Lighting And Signage

The FAA will award $185.1 million in airport infrastructure grants to 107 airports in 40 states across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The airport grant program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings which helps to create thousands of jobs.

“AIP grants will allow airports to complete critical airport infrastructure projects that will help maintain the safety of the nation’s airports,” said FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta.

Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding. At this time, FAA is providing discretionary funding to five airports based on their high-priority project needs.

Among the airports receiving discretionary grants are:

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, AK, $17.1 million – to reconstruct Taxiway Yankee and the taxiway lighting system.

Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage, AK, $7 million – to fund several projects including repairs to the apron where aircraft park and Taxiway Quebec used by aircraft to enter and exit the runway.

Gambell Airport in Gambell, AK, $8 million – funds will be used to make repairs to Runway16/34 and the taxiway.

The FAA will issue AIP grants to the airports over the next several weeks in time to take advantage of the spring and summer construction season. The grants will ensure the projects at these airports are either under construction or completed prior to the onset of the winter season, which comes early in late fall in some parts of the country.